Category: 1980’s

The Canon AL-1 was a 35mm film SLR camera introduced by Canon in 1982. It was designed to be an advanced, automatic camera that was easy to use, while still offering many manual controls.

Targeting users who had difficulty focusing through the viewfinder, the Canon AL-1 featured an electronic focus-assist system besides aperture-priority AE.

The system searches for the peak of the subject’s image contrast obtained by three linear CCD arrays. The bottom of the viewfinder has arrows indicating the direction to turn the focusing ring to achieve focus. When focus is achieved, the in-focus mark between the two arrows lights.

The exposure is controlled by a TTL silicon photocell and aperture-priority AE with centerweighted averaging metering. All shutter speeds are electronically controlled and stepless. The camera is also compatible with all FD lenses which allowed photographers to use a wide variety of high-quality lenses..

Products

@ SakuraDo Camera @ Rare! @ Canon Rubber Eyecup for A-1, AE-1, AE-1P AL-1, AV-1

£24.91   Buy It on eBay for only: £24.91 Buy It Now on eBay

Genuine Canon Japan Viewfinder Eyecup fits A1 AE1 AL1 AT1 AV1 AE-1. (refB)

£9.95   Buy It on eBay for only: £9.95 Buy It Now on eBay

RED 1980s for Canon Neck Strap for T-70 & A-1 AE-1 Program AT-1 AL-1 AV-1

£9.95   Buy It on eBay for only: £9.95 Buy It Now on eBay

It was five years after the Canon AE-1 became a worldwide hit. Many users wanted the program AE mode that was featured in the Canon A-1. This mode set both the shutter speed and aperture automatically. The user just had to press the shutter button.

The Canon AE-1 Program camera was developed in response to the demand for program AE and to succeed the original Canon AE-1. The camera now had both shutter speed-priority AE and program AE modes. It also sported a palm grip like the Canon A-1. The camera was also compatible with the A-1’s Motor Drive MA. The viewfinder featured LEDs. It was quite an advanced camera.

To make Motor Drive MA compatible with the Canon AE-1 Program camera, it had three electrical contacts instead of only two which the original version had. Also, Power Winder A was converted into Power Winder A2 for higher performance.

Products

[Top MINT w/ Hood] Canon AE-1 Program Black FD 50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. Lens From JAPAN

£159.31   Buy It on eBay for only: £159.31 Buy It Now on eBay

[Near MINT] Canon AE-1 P Program 35mm SLR Film Camera Black From JAPAN

£70.80   Buy It on eBay for only: £70.80 Buy It Now on eBay

Canon AE-1 Program 35mm SLR Film Camera Working w/ Canon FD 50mm F/1.8 Lens

£1.20  (2 bids) End Date: Saturday Sep-26-2026 22:45:00 BST Bid

Instead of being a next-generation successor to the Canon F-1, this camera was called the “New F-1,” and not the “F-2.” With the first Canon F-1 in 1971, Canon promised that the camera would remain unchanged for 10 years. This promise was fulfilled. During those ten years, there were remarkable advances in electronics, precision manufacturing, and optics. The successor to the top-of-the-line Canon F-1 had to incorporate the best electronic technology for better automation, versatility, and specifications.

Metering

For metering flexibility, it uses interchangeable focusing screens to change the metering pattern with a segmented metering element. For automation, system AE is incorporated for optimum operation. The camera’s basic controls are also the same as the old Canon F-1 so F-1 users can easily adapt to the updated camera.

The camera is a manual-exposure camera capable of TTL full-aperture metering and stopped-down metering with the included Eye-Level Finder FN. Aperture-priority AE is available by attaching the optional AE Finder FN. Also, shutter-priority mode is optionally available when using either AE Motor Drive FN or AE Power Winder FN.

Expanding system

The New F-1 is an expandable system. It consists of interchangeable viewfinders, focusing screens, motor drives, and alternate backs, all of which are specific to the New F-1. All other Canon components, such as the FD lens series, close up accessories (bellows, extension tubes, etc.), and Canon A and T Speedlights (except the 300TL) are also compatible with the system.

There are two different motorized film advance units in the New F-1 system: the AE Power Winder FN, and the AE Motor Drive FN. The AE Power Winder FN allows up to 2 frames per second (frame/s) in continuous mode, and the AE Motor Drive allows up to 5 frame/s in high-speed mode and 3.5 frame/s in low-speed mode. Both units also have single-exposure mode, where only a single frame is exposed when the shutter release is held down. Both units also have a second shutter release for vertical format shooting, and a subtractive frame counter. Only the AE Motor Drive FN has a motorized film rewind (therefore when using the AE Power Winder FN it is not necessary to remove the Rewind Coupler cover from the bottom of the camera).

Products

[MINT] Canon New FD NFD 50mm F/1.8 Standard MF Lens w/ Filter Caps from Japan

£59.42   Buy It on eBay for only: £59.42 Buy It Now on eBay

New Seal [Near MINT] Canon AE-1 Black SLR 35mm FD 50mm F1.8 Lens From JAPAN

£109.87   Buy It on eBay for only: £109.87 Buy It Now on eBay

[Near MINT w/Strap] Canon A-1 A1 Film camera New FD 50mm f1.4 Lens From JAPAN

£189.86   Buy It on eBay for only: £189.86 Buy It Now on eBay